How to negotiate dental fees?

I asked this question earlier this month and the answers went into voting before I got a chance to thank the people who helped me with their replies. I wanted to let you know the outcome to my situation. To summarize my original question: My dentist stated I needed a porcelain crown that would cost $1900. I asked if there were any alternatives, and he said no because the silver amalgam was leaking. My insurance would cover $390. The office manager said I should not delay too long to get the crown done or else I could end up needing a root canal.





I decided to look for more affordable dental treatments, and considered the dental school where the crown would cost $780. I asked for a copy of the x-rays, and the office manager at the dentist’s office seemed upset and asked me if I was going for a second opinion, and also didn’t want to give me the copy, but to directly send the x-rays to the second dentist. I told her I didn't have a second dentist set up yet.

How to negotiate dental fees?
I'm glad to hear of your good result.


Unfortunately there is a minority of dentists who are more driven by profit than ethics. And this is the same for ANY occupation.


I'll share my experience some years ago of signing up with a dental management team. Altho some of their ideas were very useful for organising my practice, their treatment ethos was rapacious.


I have a colleague who has used the same team and embraced all their techniques. He has turned into an unscrupulous, money-mad scumbag. He also has aggressive front-desk techniques.


Thank you for sharing your experiences here with everyone. Not every dentist is like your original fellow. When looking for a dentist, always ask for recommendations from relatives and freinds; don't be afraid to ask questions; don't be afraid to seek second opinions. Best wishes.
Reply:You are smart to question any health care provider. They forget that you are a consumer and can take your business anywhere. With customer service like that, the'll lose more patients than you. Maybe that's why they need to overcharge the ones that don't leave?
Reply:I will agree that $1900.00 is really high. Good gosh, I thought the fee's in my office were high, but we aren't that bad. That better include a diamond in it!





But in all fairness, the idea of "negotiating fee's" is not just a cut dry subject. Alot of people seem to think that dentists are all super rich, and they they pocket all the money they make. That is just not true. They have employee's working for them, and just like anyone else, I want to make a decent living, I want to get Christmas bonuses, I want to have health insurance, I want to have paid vacation days, and I want to have a secure job. Every time a dentsit "negotiates" his fee's, that is less money going into the practice, and in a sense, less money that goes to me and my family.





So, while I agree that $1900.00 is an awful lot for a crown, there are thousands of dentists in the country, and no one is forced to go to one certain one. There are some high end dentists who cater to the rich and famous, and there are dentists who cater to the poorer people. You just have to make your own choice, but even though you chose not to go with the $1900.00 crown, or a crown at all for that matter, remember that there are people out there who probably do choose his $1900.00 crowns, and think his prices are reasonable. It all comes down to a personal decision.
Reply:I'm a dentist.





My, how naive you are.





Let me ask you this question, lady. How do you know that the second opinion was the correct one? Because it's cheaper and it hasn't caused you problems yet?





A second opinion is nothing more than a second opinion. You're not seeing someone who's an authority on the subject. You're seeing another doctor with the same qualifications as the first.
Reply:I miss my dentist where I used to live... he was not greedy, was reasonably priced and knew when to refer you out to an endodontist. I am tempted to drive the 400 miles to see him again, he was that good.





At this point, though, you may want to search out a new dentist to avoid awkwardness (and do so before you need treatment again) It know it is hard to approach the subject of a second opinion. Had you gone to another dentist for a second opinion, then the second one would have discussed your case with the first one... I am not faulting you for going to the dental school, just putting that idea out there.